So how is this possible?  Researchers have found that the way a person deals with stress greatly affects their ability to deal with illness and, as a result, they can successfully ward off severe chronic illness.  It is thought that just by changing the outlook on everyday stressors – such as having a sense of humor about backing the car out of the garage with the door open – can improve a person's overall well being.  This also applies to people who already have chronic illnesses: there is a better survival rate among patients with positive attitudes than in patients with depression.

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